why does it seem that not doing water changes works better for me than doing water changes. I dose with calcium and alk and other trace elements and i have a kick ass protien skimmer, but when i do a water change i get these random problem ich, flatworms, missing fish, dead inverts. whats the deal with this?

How often you do water changes? How big is the amount you change? Are you using tap water and prime?

all of that is because of nutrients in the water,water changes are very important. the flatworms are caused by not quarintie, adding new live stock.same with ich stress also will cause ich. not trying to sound like a prick..but just because a coral grows dosen't mean it healthy. i think the lack of water changes will cause a imbalance, once finaly do a water change.

hey dick do you use prime ? lol.i have heard you guys talk about it but never used it, what is it a ro buffer ?

try smaller more freaquent changes as to not shock the system with "steral" water - - - like 5 gallons every week - - -match the water temp and salinity exactly to the display

also - -are you hot mixing your water or seasoning it for a couple days?? - - i have a tub for my 20 long and there is always 3 gallons of mix going, heater, powerhead running all the time, set to the tank specs
if your hot mixing you water...............your salinity could be spiking within the first 24 hours of the water change stressing everything and leading to ich and or death

Boss